Material-web marking by means of bar code

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for marking flat objects (4) by means of bar code (4). The object of the invention is to form a code, preferably a bar code, in that with the aid of an adhesive, for example, a thermoplastic adhesive, a two-component adhesive, an adhesive solution or the like, glass beads are applied to the objects in the form of a code, such glass beads having a diameter of 0.01 mm to 1 mm, preferably 0.05 mm to 0.8 mm, particularly 0.08 mm to 0.5 mm, and having a refractive index greater than 1.5, preferably 1.85 to 2.0.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method new and improved of applyingcodes to preferably flat objects, for example, textile webs, foils,fabrics, strips, window frames, profiled parts or the like. Theinvention also relates to an arrangement for performing this method.

Such codes can serve, for example, for conducting the marked or codedobjects or products during processing thereof to correspondingprocessing operations or storage locations. Regarding the objects, allthose come in question which possess a surface or flat surface portionproviding adequate space for applying a code marking, and which aremovable past a marking or code forming arrangement. Preferably,mass-produced articles and assembly line articles are marked in such amanner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide a new and improved method of, and arrangement for,applying codes to an object and which method and arrangement are notafflicted with the drawbacks and limitations of the prior art.

Another and highly significant object of the present invention isdirected to the provision of a new and improved method of, andarrangement for, applying codes to an object and which method andarrangement result in highly durable and distinctly readable codes orcode markings on such object.

A further important object of the present invention aims at providing anew and improved method of, and arrangement for, applying codes to anobject and which method and arrangement particularly permit applying toflat web-type objects code markings which are distinctly readable bymeans of a scanning or reading device during processing operations or onan assembly line carrying such flat or web-like objects.

A still further important object is directed to providing a new andimproved construction of a scanning arrangement for scanning codes orcode markings and which scanning arrangement is particularly suited forscanning the codes or code markings which have been applied by carryingout the new and improved method using the new and improved arrangementfor applying codes to an object.

Now in order to implement these and still further objects of theinvention, which will become more readily apparent as the descriptionproceeds, the method of the present development is manifested, amongother things, by the features that for forming a code, preferably a barcode, with the aid of a bonding agent, for example, a thermoplasticadhesive, a two-component adhesive, an adhesive solution or the like,glass beads are applied to the objects in the form of a code, such glassbeads having a diameter of 0.01 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably 0.05 mm to 0.8mm, particularly 0.08 mm to 0.5 mm, and having a refractive indexgreater than 1.5, preferably 1.85 to 2.0.

The arrangement for performing the method is characterized according tothe invention in that the arrangement comprises an application ordispensing device for glass beads having a diameter of 0.01 mm to 1.0mm, preferably 0.05 mm to 0.8 mm, particularly 0.08 mm to 0.5 mm, andhaving a refractive index greater than 1.5, preferably 1.85 to 2.0.

In this simple manner there is set up an arrangement of simpleconstruction, by means of which a readily identifiable and accuratelyreadable code can be applied, which code is attached by simple means andreadily adheres to objects of varied surfaces. In particular, longmaterial webs can be provided with such codes at a single or at severallocations and then can readily be identified. With the arrangementaccording to the invention, it is rendered possible in simple manner toapply a code to a stationary or to a moving object. The glass spheresused for this purpose are readily detectable. The refractive index andthe diameter are advantageously adapted or selected such that the focusof an electromagnetic scanning radiation, particularly light incident atthe glass beads for detecting the code, is located within the glassspheres.

It is possible, for example, that the adhesive or bonding agent issprayed or pressed onto preselected surface areas of the object by usinga mask for producing the code, or code markings, for instance, the barcode. The adhesive can also be scraped-on in the form of the code, forinstance the bar code. The adhesive can be rubbed on without a mask bymeans of rubbing wheels, for instance, wheels or rubbing wheelscorresponding to the width of the code markings, for example, of the barcode, or pressed on without a mask by means of dies. The glass beads arethen applied to the adhesive spread, whereby the adhesive, for instancethe bars of adhesive, is preferably entirely covered with the glassbeads which, for example, are scattered or blown thereon. Glass beadsnot adhering to the bars of adhesive or bonding agent are removed, forexample by being sucked or blown away.

It is advantageous and simple when the glass beads are conveyed by acarrier which is moved relative to the object to be marked and when anarea of the glass beads corresponding--in terms of form--to at least aportion of the desired code is pressed against the object to be markedby at least one pressing device, for instance a die and retained at theobject by an adhesive carried by the latter and/or by the glass beads.In practice, the glass beads can be applied to, for instance, a band ofplastic material of the carrier and secured thereat by the action ofheat, or by means of adhesives or the like. The glass beads can beoptionally coated with metal vapor and a layer of adhesive can beapplied to the optionally metal-coated glass beads.

It is advantageous when the glass beads applied to the adhesive arepressed by a pressure roller or the like. Adhesives which can be appliedare thermoplastic adhesives, mixed adhesives, cold-setting adhesives andso forth. It is essential that the adhesive binds well with the objectand the glass beads, and forms a durable compound or bond.

The application of the adhesive to the objects can be effected in theform of the code, for instance the bar code, with the aid of the mask.Either a mask is provided for each code to be applied and is selectedfor the related case, or the mask is formed adjustable such that aplurality of codes can be formed with the mask and mask portions can bedisplaced or moved relative to one another in order to form anarrangement of recesses or apertures in the mask, such arrangementcorresponding to the code. For forming a bar code, it is also possibleto form always only one bar by means of an application device, the barsbeing applied to the object at corresponding intervals. Furthermore, themask could be moved together with the object past theadhesive-application device; the object can also be stationary and themask can be applied thereto, and the adhesive-application device can bemoved relative to the mask.

In an arrangement for reading codes, in particular bar codes, which areapplied, in particular, to flat objects, such arrangement has anelectromagnetic radiation source for irradiating the code, for instancean ultraviolet or infrared emitter, a light source or the like, and hasa receiving or sensing device for the reflected radiation, for instancelight. An evaluation unit is provided in accordance with the inventionand comprises a discriminator circuit by means of which it is possibleto suppress signals, which lie between the expected moments of time ofarrival of signals produced by rays reflected by the code structured ofglass beads, for instance infrared radiation or light or the like, orwhich signals do not attain a certain intensity and/or duration and arecaused by glass beads lying on the material web at undesired locations,i.e. by glass beads adhering to the material web at locations beyondcode areas or between bars. By virtue of such a device, the reception ofsignals and the detection of the code are ensured in a form perfectlysuitable for evaluation.

It is of particular advantage that the application of codes to theobjects, particularly to those of considerable length, is possibleduring passing travel of the object. The application of the code as wellas the reading of such code during passage under the optical sensor ofthe code reading device or arrangement in individual differentprocessing operations or processing stages is readily possible. Inparticular, the momentary location of individual product groups can bedetermined and it is readily possible to centrally detect and controlthe flow of goods.

The refractive index and the size and the material of the glass beadspermit total reflection of the radiation or light radiated by the codereading arrangement or unit onto the code or code markings forreflection into the receiving device. Advantageously, the glass beadshave diameters which correspond to a predetermined distribution curve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein throughout the various figures of thedrawings, there have been generally used the same reference charactersto denote the same or analogous components and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment ofthe inventive arrangement for carrying out a first exemplary embodimentof the inventive method as well as an exemplary embodiment of theinventive scanning arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of part of a second exemplaryembodiment of the inventive arrangement for carrying out a secondexemplary embodiment of the inventive method;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of part of the arrangementillustrated in FIG. 2 at a final stage of carrying out the secondexemplary embodiment of the inventive method; and

FIG. 4 is a partially sectional view of a part of the arrangementillustrated in FIG. 2 and illustrates a modified version of the secondexemplary embodiment of the inventive method and the inventivearrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Describing now the drawings, it is to be understood that only enough ofthe construction of the inventive arrangement has been shown as neededfor those skilled in the art to readily understand the underlyingprinciples and concepts of the present development, while simplifyingthe showing of the drawing. Turning attention now specifically to FIG. 1of the drawings, the object 1 illustrated therein by way of example andnot limitation will be seen to constitute a flat material web. It shouldbe noted, however, that the object 1 can be constituted by any objecthaving a flat surface portion 1A suitable for applying a code or codemarkings 31. Such objects 1, may constitute flat objects like, forexample, textile webs, foils, fabrics and strips as well as profiledparts such as, for instance, window frames.

The object 1, in the first exemplary embodiment, constitutes a flatmaterial web 1 which is moved according to FIG. 1 by conveying means 25conjointly with an applied mask 4, in which recesses or apertures areformed in conformity with a code, in the given instance a bar code, pastcode forming means 30 containing an adhesive application device 2 whichsprays adhesive or bonding agent 14 onto the material web 1 through therecesses 22 in the mask 4. The adhesive 14 impacts only the region ofthe mask 4 and is applied to preselected surface areas 1B of a flatsurface or surface portion 1A of the object or material web 1 inaccordance with a desired code configuration; those areas of materialweb 1 located beyond the mask 4 are not impacted. After the applicationof adhesive has been carried out essentially in the form of the code,the material web 1 with the adhesive spread 3 is moved past a glass-beaddispensing device 11 by means of which glass beads 13 are poured, blownor scattered out of a container and onto the adhesive spread 3. A firmpressing of the glass beads 13 at the adhesive spread 3 can be effectedby means of a pressure roller 15. During further travel of the materialweb 1 in the direction of the arrow 10, removal by blowing or suckingout the glass beads 13 not retained by the adhesive can be effected by aremoval device 12, so that surplus glass beads do not cause anyerroneous signals when the code or bar code is read.

Subsequently, there is illustrated in the drawing the detection of thecode or bar code applied to the material web 1, through the mask 4, bymeans of a code reading arrangement or unit 35. Radiation or visiblelight is radiating from a light emitter 5 onto the material web 1 andreflected by the glass beads 13 into a receiving or sensing device 6.The spacings between the code markings 31 or bars are selected to bepreferably equal, the width of the bars being equal to the width or amultiple of the width of a predetermined selected bar width. The lightreceiver or sensing device 6 receives successive radiation or lightpulses which produce output signals which are fed to an evaluation unit8 via a discriminator circuit 7. The discriminator circuit orthreshold-value circuit 7 serves for ensuring that glass beads 13 whichare located between the individual code markings 31 or bars and were notremoved and possibly guide or direct reflections of radiation or lightto the receiver 6, are not let through to the evaluation unit 8. Theevaluation unit 8 can possess a speed measuring device 9 for measuringthe speed of the moved material web 1, in order to be able to check thesequence or the spacings of the bars and determine the timely arrival ofthe signals as a function of this speed. The evaluation unit 8 canfurther comprise a computer which, if necessary, can communicate with acentral computer unit via a line 16 leading thereto, such centralcomputer unit controlling the entire passage of goods.

For the evaluation, it is also possible to proceed in such a manner thatthe signals received on the basis of those surfaces of the objectlimited by the glass beads, are evaluated as the signals correspondingto the code, which means that the code is not determined by the positionof the glass beads, but by the spaces between the locations coated withthe glass beads. The beginning of the code and the end of the code arethereby marked by a glass-bead code marking 31 or bar of a predeterminedwidth. When the evaluation unit detects such a bar, it accepts in thesequel the lack of reflected radiation as code information and thearrival of reflected radiation as spacing between the code markings. Thesignals received from or associated with the dark scanned locations thusrepresent the code.

Instead of a detection of the code or bar code by means of visiblelight, it is possible to use ultraviolet or infrared radiation or otherelectromagnetic radiations. To increase the reflection, there can beprovided filling materials in the adhesive substance, such as aluminumtinsel, titanium dioxide TiO₂ or similar brightening pigments ormaterials.

It is preferred when glass beads or spheres provided with a reflectivemetal coating, for instance of aluminum, are applied to the adhesive andwhen, subsequent to the setting of the adhesive, the metal coating isremoved, for instance by etching, from the exposed surfaces of the glassspheres. The metal layers remaining between the glass spheres and theadhesive substance act as mirror surfaces and present optimal surfacesof reflection. Etching away the metal coating in the case of textiles ispreferably carried out during customary processing operations, forinstance washing in lyes, which washing affects the metal coating.

FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the inventive arrangementin which the glass beads 13 are supported by a carrier 17 which carriesout a relative movement with respect to the object 1. The glass beads 13can be applied to the carrier 17 by means of an adhesive 21 or, as FIG.4 depicts, pressed into the carrier 17 on a side 17A facing an objectside 1C of the object or material web 1. The glass beads 13 carry anadhesive layer 18 which, however, could also be carried by the object 1or appropriately applied to the latter. By means of at least one die 19which--in terms of form--corresponds to a code or a code portion, glassbeads 13 can be pressed onto the object 1 and separated from the carrier17. FIG. 3 shows two adjacent rows of glass beads 13 corresponding tothe width of the die 19 which could correspond, for instance, to one barof a bar code. In general, more than two rows of glass beads correspondto the minimum width of a bar.

FIG. 4 shows a section through a modified version of the carrier 17 towhich the glass beads 13 are attached by being pressed there into. Thecarrier 17 can be or may contain a thermoplastic band of plasticmaterial into which heated glass beads 13 are pressed and adherethereat. The reference numeral 20 designates a mirror or reflectivecoating of the glass beads 13 provided at the surface at which the glassbeads are glued to the object 1.

The adhesive 18 can be self-adhesive. If the adhesive 18 isthermosetting, the die 19 can be constructed to be heatable. If theadhesive 18 is ultraviolet-setting, the pressing surface of the adhesivecan be transparent and structured for admission of ultravioletradiation. The adhesive could also be soluble in water in order to beable to remove codes appled to textile materials during the manufacturethereof.

The means for moving or feeding the object 1, the carrier 17 or the die19 are not illustrated.

While there are shown and described present preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the scope of the following claims.

Accordingly, what I claim is:
 1. A method of coating an object,comprising the steps of:placing a code containing a predeterminatenumber of code markings having a predeterminate dimension atpredeterminate spacings between each other on a flat surface portion ofthe object; using, as said predeterminate number of code markings, codemarkings having different reflectivities for electromagnetic radiationused for scanning said predeterminate number of code markings foridentifying the object; said step of placing said code on said flatsurface portion of said object entailing the step of imparting topreselected ones of said predeterminate number of code markings anincreased reflectivity for said electromagnetic scanning radiation incomparison to the reflectivity for said electromagnetic scanningradiation of remaining ones of said predeterminate number of codemarkings; and said step of imparting said increased reflectivity to saidpreselected code markings for said electromagnetic scanning radiationentailing the step of adhesively bonding to preselected surface areas ofsaid flat surface portion of the object, glass beads having a diameterin the range of 0.01 mm to 1 mm and a refractive index above 1.5.
 2. Themethod as defined in claim 1, wherein:said step of placing said codeentails placing a bar code on said flat surface portion of the object.3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein:said glass beads areselected from glass beads having a diameter in the range of 0.05 to 0.8mm.
 4. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein:said glass beads areselected from glass beads having a diameter in the range of 0.08 to 0.5mm.
 5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein:said glass beads areselected from glass beads having a refractive index in the range of 1.85to 2.0.
 6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein:said step ofadhesively bonding said glass beads to said preselected surface areas ofsaid flat surface portion of the object entails using a preselectedbonding agent for adhesively bonding said glass beads to saidpreselected surface areas; and selecting said bonding agent from thegroup consisting of thermoplastic adhesives, mixed adhesives andadhesive solutions.
 7. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein:saidstep of adhesively bonding said glass beads to said preselected surfaceareas of said flat surface portion of the object entails the stepsof:(i) applying a preselected bonding agent to said preselected surfaceareas of said flat surface portion of the object; and (ii) applying saidglass beads to said preselected bonding agent applied to saidpreselected surface areas of said flat surface portion in order tothereby form said preselected code markings having said increasedreflectivity for said electromagnetic scanning radiation.
 8. The methodas defined in claim 7, wherein:during said step of applying saidpreselected bonding agent to said preselected surface areas of said flatsurface portion of the object, applying said preselected bonding agentto said preselected surface areas of said flat surface portion through amask configured in correspondence with said preselected surface areas ofsaid flat surface portion.
 9. The method as defined in claim 8,wherein:said step of applying said preselected bonding agent throughsaid mask to said preselected surface areas of said flat surface portionof the object selectively entails either one of (i) sprinkling, (ii)printing, (iii) spraying or (iv) scraping-on said preselected bondingagent through said mask onto said preselected surface areas of said flatsurface portion.
 10. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein:said stepof applying said preselected bonding agent to said preselected surfaceareas of said flat surface portion of the object entails rubbing saidpreselected bonding agent by means of rubbing wheels onto saidpreselected surface areas of said flat surface portion.
 11. The methodas defined in claim 7, wherein:said step of applying said preselectedbonding agent to said preselected surface areas of said flat surfaceportion of the object entails pressing said preselected bonding agent bymeans of a pressing die onto said preselected surface areas of said flatsurface portion of the object.
 12. The method as defined in claim 7,wherein:said steps of applying said preselected bonding agent and saidglass beads to said preselected surface areas of said flat surfaceportion of the object entail the steps of:(i) arranging a carrier withone side facing said object at an object side containing said flatsurface portion; (ii) applying said preselected bonding agent to saidpreselected surface areas of said flat surface portion on said objectside of the object; (iii) releasably bonding said glass beads to saidone side of said carrier; (iv) moving relative to each other saidcarrier and said object containing, on said object side, saidpreselected bonding agent present on said preselected surface areas ofsaid flat surface portion; and (v) pressing said one side of saidcarrier carrying said releasably bonded glass beads, against said objectside of the object at least in the region of said preselected surfaceareas and thereby transferring said releasably bonded glass beads fromsaid one side of said carrier to said preselected bonding agent andsecuring said transferred glass beads at said preselected bonding agentin said preselected surface areas of said flat surface portion on saidobject side of the object.
 13. The method as defined in claim 12,wherein:said step of releasably bonding said glass beads to said oneside of said carrier selectively entails either one of (i) adhesivelybonding or (ii) pressing-in under the action of heat said glass beads toa plastic band of said carrier.
 14. The method as defined in claim 12,wherein:during said step of pressing said one side of said carriercarrying said releasably bonded glass beads against said object side ofthe object, covering with said glass beads substantially the entiresurface area of said preselected bonding agent applied to at least oneof said preselected surfaces areas of said flat surface portion of theobject.
 15. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein:said steps ofapplying said preselected bonding agent and said glass beads to saidpreselected surface areas of said flat surface portion of the objectentail the steps of:(i) arranging a carrier with one side facing saidobject on an object side containing said flat surface portion; (ii)releasably bonding said glass beads to said one side of said carrier;(iii) applying said preselected bonding agent to said glass beads whichare releasably bonded to said one side of said carrier, on a side remotefrom said one side of said carrier; (iv) moving relative to each othersaid carrier and the object; and (v) pressing said one side of saidcarrier carrying said releasably bonded glass beads and said preselectedbonding agent against said object side of the object at least in theregion of said preselected surface areas of said flat surface portion ofthe object and thereby conjointly transferring said releasably bondedglass beads and said preselected bonding agent from said one side ofsaid carrier to said object and securing said transferred glass beads tosaid preselected surface areas of said flat surface portion on saidobject side of the object.
 16. The method as defined in claim 15,further including the steps of:applying a further preselected bondingagent to said preselected surface areas of said flat surface portion onsaid object side of the object; and during said step of pressing saidone side of said carrier carrying said releasably bonded glass beads andsaid preselected bonding agent against said object side of the object,transferring said releasably bonded glass beads and said preselectedbonding agent from said one side of said carrier to said furtherpreselected bonding agent and securing said glass beads to saidpreselected surface areas of said flat surface portion on said objectside of the object.
 17. The method as defined in claim 15,wherein:during said step of applying said preselected bonding agent tosaid glass beads which are releasably bonded to said one side of saidcarrier, selectively applying either one of (i) a UV-curable bondinglayer, (ii) a self-adhesive bonding layer or (iii) a thermally curablebonding layer; and during said step of pressing said one side of saidcarrier carrying said releasably bonded glass beads and said preselectedbonding agent against said object side of the object, selectively curingeither one of (i) said UV-curable bonding layer or (ii) said thermallycurable bonding layer by the respective ones of (i) UV-radiation or (ii)heat.
 18. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein:said step ofapplying said glass beads to said preselected bonding agent applied tosaid preselected surface areas of said flat surface portion of theobject selectively entails either one of (i) pouring or (ii) blowingsaid glass beads onto said preselected bonding agent applied to saidpreselected surface areas of said flat surface portion of the object.19. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein:said step of applying saidglass beads to said preselected bonding agent applied to saidpreselected surface areas of said flat surface portion of the objectentails covering substantially the entire surface area of saidpreselected bonding agent by said glass beads.
 20. The method as definedin claim 7, further including the step of:selectively removing from saidflat surface portion of the object by either one of (i) suction or (ii)blowing, glass beads which have not become adhered to said preselectedbonding agent applied to said preselected surface areas of said flatsurface portion of the object.
 21. The method as defined in claim 1,further including the steps of:coating said glass beads with areflective coating; said step of adhesively bonding said glass beads tosaid preselected surface areas of said flat surface portion of theobject entailing adhesively bonding said coated glass beads only with aportion thereof to said preselected surface areas and leaving exposed aremaining portion of said glass beads; and after adhesively bonding saidcoated glass beads, removing said reflective coating from said exposedportion of said glass beads.
 22. The method as defined in claim 21,wherein:said step of coating said glass beads with said reflectivecoating entails selecting either one of (i) a metal or (ii) a metaloxide as said reflective coating.
 23. The method as defined in claim 21,wherein:said step of removing said reflective coating from said exposedportion of said glass beads includes etching away said reflectivecoating from said exposed portion of the glass beads.
 24. The method asdefined in claim 12, wherein:said step of releasably bonding said glassbeads to said one side of said carrier entails releasably bonding amonolayer of said glass beads to said one side of said carrier.
 25. Anarrangement for coding an object, comprising:code forming means forplacing a code containing a predeterminate number of code markingshaving a predeterminate dimension at predeterminate spacings betweeneach other on a flat surface portion of the object; said code formingmeans for placing said predeterminate number of code markings on saidflat surface portion of the object, placing code markings havingdifferent reflectivities for electromagnetic radiation on said flatsurface portion of the object for permitting scanning saidpredeterminate number of code markings by means of a scanningarrangement using electromagnetic scanning radiation for identifying theobject; said code forming means containing means for imparting topreselected ones of said predeterminate number of code markings anincreased reflectivity for said electromagnetic scanning radiation incomparison to the reflectivity for said electromagnetic scanningradiation of remaining ones of said predeterminate number of codemarkings; and said means for imparting said increased reflectivity forsaid electromagnetic scanning radiation to said preselected codemarkings containing means for adhesively bonding to preselected surfaceareas of said flat surface portion of the object, glass beads having adiameter in the range of 0.01 to 1 mm and a refractive index above 1.5.26. The arrangement as defined in claim 25, wherein:said code formingmeans constitute means for placing a bar code on said flat surfaceportion of the object.
 27. The arrangement as defined in claim 25,wherein:said glass beads have a diameter in the range of 0.05 to 0.8 mm.28. The arrangement as defined in claim 27, wherein:said glass beadshave a diameter in the range of 0.08 to 0.5 mm.
 29. The arrangement asdefined in claim 25, wherein:said glass beads have a refractive index inthe range of 1.85 to 2.0.
 30. The arrangement as defined in claim 25,wherein:said code forming means contain means for employing apreselected bonding agent for adhesively bonding said glass beads tosaid preselected surface areas; and said means for employing saidpreselected bonding agent contain a spray nozzle for selectivelyapplying either one of (i) a thermoplastic adhesive, (ii) a mixedadhesive or (iii) an adhesive solution.
 31. The arrangement as definedin claim 25, wherein:said means for adhesively bonding said glass beadsto said preselected surface areas of said flat surface portion of theobject comprise:(i) application means for applying a preselected bondingagent to said preselected surface areas of said flat surface portion ofthe object; and (ii) dispensing means for applying said glass beads tosaid preselected bonding agent applied to said preselected surface areasof said flat surface portion of the object in order to thereby form saidpreselected code markings having said increased reflectivity for saidelectromagnetic scanning radiation.
 32. The arrangement as defined inclaim 31, wherein:said application means for applying said preselectedbonding agent to said preselected surface areas of said flat surfaceportion of the object contain a mask through which said preselectedbonding agent is applied to said preselected surface area; and said maskbeing configured in correspondence with said preselected surface areasof said flat surface portion of the object.
 33. The arrangement asdefined in claim 32, further including:adjustment means connected withsaid mask; and said adjustment means permitting changing theconfiguration of said mask in adaptation to predeterminateconfigurations of said code.
 34. The arrangement as defined in claim 32,wherein:said application means for applying said preselected bondingagent selectively contain either one of (i) sprinkling means, (ii)printing means, (iii) spraying means or (iv) blade means for applyingsaid preselected bonding agent through said mask to said preselectedsurface areas of said flat surface portion of the object.
 35. Thearrangement as defined in claim 31, wherein:said application means forapplying said preselected bonding agent contain at least one rubbingwheel for rubbing said preselected bonding agent onto said preselectedsurface areas of said flat surface portion of the object.
 36. Thearrangement as defined in claim 31, wherein:said application means forapplying said preselected bonding agent contain a die for pressing saidpreselected bonding agent to said preselected surface areas of said flatsurface portion of the object.
 37. The arrangement as defined in claim31, wherein:said application means and said dispensing means foradhesively bonding said glass beads to said preselected surface areas ofsaid flat surface portion of the object contain:(i) a carrier having oneside which faces the object at an object side containing said flatsurface portion; (ii) said application means applying said preselectedbonding agent to said preselected surface areas of said flat surfaceportion on said object side of the object; (iii) said carrier carryingsaid glass beads which are releasably bonded to said one side of saidcarrier; (iv) conveying means for moving relative to each other saidcarrier and said object containing, on said object side, saidpreselected bonding agent applied to said preselected surface areas ofsaid flat surface portion; and (v) pressing means for pressing said oneside of said carrier carrying said releasably bonded glass beads againstsaid object side of the object at least in the region of saidpreselected surface areas of said flat surface portion for transferringsaid releasably bonded glass beads from said one side of said carrier tosaid preselected bonding agent and securing said transferred glass beadsto said preselected surface areas of said flat surface portion on saidobject side of the object.
 38. The arrangement as defined in claim 37,wherein:said carrier contains a plastics band on said one side of saidcarrier; and said glass beads being releasably bonded to said one sideof said carrier selectively by either one of (i) adhesive bonding or(ii) pressing-in under the action of heat.
 39. The arrangement asdefined in claim 37, wherein:said pressing means selectively constituteeither one of (i) a pressing roll or (ii) a pressing die, each having apressing area which covers substantially the entire surface area of saidpreselected bonding agent applied to at least one of said preselectedsurface areas of said flat surface portion of the object.
 40. Thearrangement as defined in claim 31, wherein:said application means andsaid dispensing means for adhesively bonding said glass beads to saidpreselected surface areas of said flat surface portion of the objectcontain:(i) a carrier having one side which faces the object at anobject side containing said flat surface portion; (ii) said carriercarrying said glass beads which are releasably bonded to said one sideof said carrier; (iii) said application means applying said preselectedbonding agent to said glass beads releasably bonded to said carrier on aside remote from said carrier: (iv) conveying means for moving relativeto each other said carrier and said object; and (v) pressing means forpressing said one side of said carrier carrying said releasably bondedglass beads and said preselected bonding agent, against said object sideof said object at least in the region of said preselected surface areasof said flat surface portion for conjointly transferring said releasablybonded glass beads and said preselected bonding agent from one side ofsaid said carrier to said object and securing said transferred glassbeads to said preselected surface areas of said flat surface portion onsaid object side of the object.
 41. The arrangement as defined in claim40, further including:additional application means for applying anadditional preselected bonding agent to said preselected surface areasof said flat surface portion of said object.
 42. The arrangement asdefined in claim 40, wherein:said application means selectively containmeans for applying either one of (i) a UV-curable bonding layer, (ii) aself-adhesive bonding layer or (iii) a thermally curable bonding layerto said glass beads releasably bonded to said carrier, on said sideremote from said carrier; and said pressing means selectively containingeither one of (i) a UV-radiator or (ii) a heating device for selectivelycuring either one of (i) said UV-curable bonding layer or (ii) saidthermally curable bonding layer.
 43. The arrangement as defined in claim31, wherein:said dispensing means selectively contain either one of (i)pouring means or (ii) blowing means for applying said glass beads tosaid preselected bonding agent applied to said preselected surface areasof said flat surface portion of the object.
 44. The arrangement asdefined in claim 31, wherein:said dispensing means contain means forcovering with said glass beads substantially the entire surface area ofsaid preselected bonding agent applied to said preselected surface areasof said flat surface portion of the object.
 45. The arrangement asdefined in claim 31, further including:removal means for selectivelyremoving by either one of (i) suction or (ii) blowing, glass beads whichhave not become adhered to said preselected bonding agent applied tosaid preselected surface areas of said flat surface portion of theobject.
 46. The arrangement as defined in claim 25, wherein:said glassbeads constitute glass beads provided with a reflective coating forreflecting said electromagnetic scanning radiation; said means foradhesively bonding said glass beads to said preselected surface areas ofsaid flat surface portion of the object, adhesively bonding apredetermined portion of said coated glass beads to said preselectedsurface areas and leaving exposed a remaining portion of said coatedglass beads; and removing means for removing said reflective coatingfrom said exposed remaining portion of said glass beads.
 47. Thearrangement as defined in claim 46, wherein:said reflective coating isselected from either one of (i) a metal or (ii) a metal oxide.
 48. Thearrangement as defined in claim 47, wherein:said reflective coatingconstitutes an aluminum-based coating.
 49. The arrangement as defined inclaim 46, wherein:said removing means constitute etching means foretching away said reflective coating from said exposed remaining portionof said glass beads.
 50. The arrangement as defined in claim 25,wherein:said glass beads contain a portion facing said preselectedsurface areas of said flat surface portion of the object; and saidportion of said glass beads being provided with a reflective coating forreflecting said electromagnetic scanning radiation.
 51. The arrangementas defined in claim 37, wherein:said carrier carries a monolayer of saidreleasably bonded glass beads on said one side of said carrier.
 52. Ascanning arrangement for scanning codes containing, at predeterminatespacings, a predeterminate number of comparatively highly reflectivecode markings and comparatively poorly reflective code markings for apreselected electromagnetic scanning radiation, said preselected numberof highly reflective code markings containing glass beads adhesivelybonded to preselected surface areas of a flat surface portion of anobject, said scanning arrangement, comprising:a source for directingsaid electromagnetic scanning radiation towards the object; sensingmeans for receiving reflected electromagnetic scanning radiationreflected from code markings of said object and producing correspondingoutput signals; an evaluation unit connected to said sensing means forreceiving and evaluating said output signals corresponding to saidreflected electromagnetic scanning radiation reflected from said codemarkings of said object; and said evaluation unit containing adiscriminator circuit for differentiating with respect to intensity andtime of appearance between code-related signals appearing atpredeterminate moments of time and for suppressing other output signalsrelated to non-coded portions of said object.
 53. The arrangement asdefined in claim 52, wherein:said evaluating unit detecting the absenceof reflected electromagnetic scanning radiation between successive onesof the highly reflective code markings; and said evaluating unitidentifying as code information the detection of said absence ofreflected electromagnetic scanning radiation between said successivehighly reflective code markings.
 54. The arrangement as defined in claim52, further including:conveying means for moving relative to each othersaid object containing said code markings and said evaluating unit.